MPs to debate two-year hate speech penalty

TDT | Manama

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A seven-article bill drafted by the government would make hate speech and acts that harm coexistence or tolerance punishable by up to two years in jail and a BD10,000 fine.

The bill, which accompanies Decree No 67 of 2025, is due before Parliament in the coming convening period. It would define offences involving hate speech and acts that threaten coexistence, tolerance or social cohesion.

Hate speech is defined as conduct, through any form of expression, that could incite strife, sectarian or communal tensions, violence or discrimination between people or groups.

Coexistence means people and groups living together in peace while recognising and valuing human and cultural diversity. The bill would cover acts that hinder peaceful coexistence or reject or disparage those values in a way that threatens national unity or the social fabric.

Tolerance is defined as respect for social cohesion and for the equal rights and freedoms of others, including their right to express their views without discrimination, violence or hatred.

Acts that lead to discrimination, incitement to hatred, calls for violence or violence itself would also fall under the bill.

Under Article 4, the penalties would apply to anyone who harms coexistence or tolerance through any of the forms or means covered by the bill, as well as anyone who uses hate speech.

Attempted offences would carry the same punishment. If an offence leads to another crime, that would be treated as an aggravating factor.

Companies and other legal entities would face fines of between BD5,000 and BD20,000 when an Article 4 offence is committed in their name, on their behalf or for their benefit.

They could be held criminally liable where the offence results from an act, failure to act, approval, concealment or gross negligence by a board member, manager, authorised officer or another person acting in that capacity. Individual criminal liability would remain.

The bill covers acts, speech, writing, drawings, signs, images, singing, acting and gestures.

It would apply to newspapers, radio, television, telecommunications networks, websites, the internet and social media, as well as other written, audio or visual means.

Article 6 says freedom of opinion and expression cannot be invoked to justify speech or conduct that harms, or urges harm to, coexistence or tolerance, or amounts to hate speech in breach of the law.

The King Hamad Global Centre for Coexistence and Tolerance would co-ordinate work with government bodies, non-governmental organisations and civil society groups on coexistence, tolerance and hate speech.

It would propose education and awareness programmes, promote equality and dialogue, encourage acceptance of others and raise awareness of the risks of hatred, violence, extremism and intolerance.

The centre could also propose legislation and regulations on coexistence and tolerance in consultation with the bodies concerned in Bahrain.